Summary

Notes on movements of Mimosa pudica.

Summary

Writes concerning the land he wishes to purchase from Sir John Lubbock.

Summary

Has been waiting several months for a microscope objective and would like it without delay.

Summary

Encloses a circular [9384?] to explain the predicament he is in. Asks whether AG can get anyone at the British Museum, other than Owen, to join J. E. Gray in signing.

Believes the account of the Mallotus in American Naturalist [5 (1871): 119] is trustworthy.

Summary

A certificate for admission [of Robert Swinhoe] to Royal Society with many signatures has been lost by the Post Office. Asks for another so he can get the signatures anew.

Summary

Asks CD to read and comment, for publication, on his forthcoming essay in Index on the evolution of conscience and morals through action and reaction between man and the moral environment.

Summary

The row at the Linnean Society and other troubles.

The Agricultural Society has sent Anton De Bary £100 to investigate the potato disease – an insult to M. J. Berkeley, who had worked on it for 30 years.

Summary

Thanks HBT for all the trouble he has taken for Robert Swinhoe and himself. Will try to get six signatures on a new certificate and deliver it to the Royal Society in time.

Summary

On digestive powers of Drosera and those of higher animals.

Comments on expression on two halves of human face.

Responds to TLB’s views of serpent- and fire-worship.

Poison of venomous snakes.

Summary

Thanks for letter announcing election to honorary member of the Entomological Society of France. Has always felt entomology admirable for throwing light on general problems in biology.

Summary

CD guessed Carruthers was stirred up by Owen. Disgraceful treatment of Bentham.

Work on Descent and Coral reefs stops his doing anything of real interest.

Asa Gray’s letter. CD has acknowledged the honour [honorary membership in the Boston Soc. Nat. Hist.].

"What a demon on earth Owen is. I do hate him."

Summary

His general rule has been to preserve male deerhound puppies in preference to females.

Summary

Has heard from Dohrn about his financial problems. Asks CD’s advice on what to do.

THH’s article in Contemporary Review ["Universities: actual and ideal" (1874), Collected essays, vol. 3 (1894)].

Summary

CD is grieved to hear that AD is overworked and troubled about the Zoological Station. Glad he is now writing to seek assistance from English naturalists. Sends a subscription of £100 and £10 each from George and Francis Darwin.

Summary

Sends abstract of Martin Ziegler’s paper on sensitive movements in Drosera ["Sur un fait physiologique observé sur des feuilles de Drosera", C. R. Hebd. Acad. Sci. 74 (1872): 1227–9].

JTM’s experiments with formic acid and ants have failed to reveal the secret of the ants, but have taught him a great deal about germination.

Summary

Looks forward to a visit from JVC and family in August.

Sheets of vol. 1 of Descent [2d ed.] are going to printer;

new edition of Coral reefs is half printed.

Summary

Asks GB to support the election of CD’s nephew, Henry Parker, to the Athenaeum Club.

Summary

Urges WB to give his vote "and exert any influence which you properly can" in favour of CD’s nephew, Henry Parker, a fellow of Oriel, at the next balloting at the Athenaeum.

Summary

Writes on the possible origin of serpent-worship.

Is glad CD does not think his view regarding the two sides of the face is erroneous.

Summary

Requests EF’s vote and support in favour of Henry Parker for membership in the Athenaeum.